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In 2006, Sestero appeared in the television series ''[[Fashion House]]'' and had an uncredited role in ''[[Accepted (film)|Accepted]]''. In 2010, he appeared in [[Miranda Lambert]]'s music video "[[White Liar]]," which won the [[Country Music Television]] and the [[Academy of Country Music]] award for best video and song of the year; the video was also nominated for best video at the 2010 [[Country Music Association]] awards. Later that year, Sestero was featured in the [[5-Second Films|5-Second Film]] ''End Zone'', directed by Michael Rousselet, one of ''The Room''{{'}}s original fans who helped propel the film to cult status.<ref name="disasterartist" /><ref name="crazycult" /><ref>{{Cite news | last = Collis | first = Clark | title = 5-Second Comedy Short | newspaper = Entertainment Weekly | date = July 30, 2010 | url = http://popwatch.ew.com/2010/07/30/greg-sestero-the-room-5-second-film/ | accessdate = March 10, 2011}}</ref>
In 2006, Sestero appeared in the television series ''[[Fashion House]]'' and had an uncredited role in ''[[Accepted (film)|Accepted]]''. In 2010, he appeared in [[Miranda Lambert]]'s music video "[[White Liar]]," which won the [[Country Music Television]] and the [[Academy of Country Music]] award for best video and song of the year; the video was also nominated for best video at the 2010 [[Country Music Association]] awards. Later that year, Sestero was featured in the [[5-Second Films|5-Second Film]] ''End Zone'', directed by Michael Rousselet, one of ''The Room''{{'}}s original fans who helped propel the film to cult status.<ref name="disasterartist" /><ref name="crazycult" /><ref>{{Cite news | last = Collis | first = Clark | title = 5-Second Comedy Short | newspaper = Entertainment Weekly | date = July 30, 2010 | url = http://popwatch.ew.com/2010/07/30/greg-sestero-the-room-5-second-film/ | accessdate = March 10, 2011}}</ref>


Sestero starred with NYC comedians Jason Saenz, Nick Turner, and Travis Irvine for a sketch comedy video in which Sestero turned into the "new" Jason Saenz via jaw surgery.<ref>{{cite web | title = Your Free Comedy | url = http://yourfreecomedy.tumblr.com/post/1019682153/here-you-have-it-folks-the-brand-spankin-new|website=Yourfreecomedy.tumblr.com | accessdate = March 12, 2011}}</ref> The July 2010 edition of ''Diablo'' magazine labeled Sestero as one of the "Best of the East Bay Stars and Standouts."<ref>{{cite web | title = Diablo Magazine | url = http://www.diablomag.com/Diablo-Magazine/July-2010/Best-of-the-East-Bay-Stars-amp-Standouts/|website=Diablomag.com | accessdate = March 12, 2011}}</ref>
Sestero starred with NYC comedians Jason Saenz, Nick Turner, and Travis Irvine for a sketch comedy video in which Sestero turned into the "new" Jason Saenz via jaw surgery.<ref>{{cite web| title = Your Free Comedy| url = http://yourfreecomedy.tumblr.com/post/1019682153/here-you-have-it-folks-the-brand-spankin-new| website = Yourfreecomedy.tumblr.com| accessdate = March 12, 2011| deadurl = yes| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20110717112750/http://yourfreecomedy.tumblr.com/post/1019682153/here-you-have-it-folks-the-brand-spankin-new| archivedate = July 17, 2011| df = }}</ref> The July 2010 edition of ''Diablo'' magazine labeled Sestero as one of the "Best of the East Bay Stars and Standouts."<ref>{{cite web | title = Diablo Magazine | url = http://www.diablomag.com/Diablo-Magazine/July-2010/Best-of-the-East-Bay-Stars-amp-Standouts/|website=Diablomag.com | accessdate = March 12, 2011}}</ref>


In July 2011, Sestero teamed with comedian [[Patton Oswalt]] in ''You Got Mail'', a 5-Second Film that features Oswalt as a mailman and Sestero waiting for his suspicious delivery.<ref>{{Cite news | last = Collis | first = Clark| title = Watch bad movie fan Patton Oswalt and bad movie icon Greg 'The Room' Sestero in a five-second film | newspaper = [[Entertainment Weekly]] | accessdate= July 13, 2011| url= http://popwatch.ew.com/2011/07/13/patton-oswalt-greg-sestero/}}</ref>
In July 2011, Sestero teamed with comedian [[Patton Oswalt]] in ''You Got Mail'', a 5-Second Film that features Oswalt as a mailman and Sestero waiting for his suspicious delivery.<ref>{{Cite news | last = Collis | first = Clark| title = Watch bad movie fan Patton Oswalt and bad movie icon Greg 'The Room' Sestero in a five-second film | newspaper = [[Entertainment Weekly]] | accessdate= July 13, 2011| url= http://popwatch.ew.com/2011/07/13/patton-oswalt-greg-sestero/}}</ref>

Revision as of 21:47, 23 October 2017

Greg Sestero
Sestero in 2011
Born
Gregory Sestero

(1978-07-15) July 15, 1978 (age 46)
Walnut Creek, California, U.S.
EducationMonte Vista High School
Occupation(s)Actor, model, author
Years active1996–present
Notable workThe Disaster Artist

Gregory Sestero (born July 15, 1978) is an American actor, model, producer and author. He is best known for his role as Mark in the 2003 cult film The Room and for his award-winning 2013 memoir The Disaster Artist about his life and experience making The Room.

Early life

Sestero was born in Walnut Creek, California to a mother of French and Sicilian descent,[1] and an American father. He was raised in Danville, California, where he attended Monte Vista High School.[2]

At the age of 12, he wrote a sequel to the then-recently released 1990 film Home Alone with a leading role for himself.[1] He submitted the screenplay to Hughes Productions and received a commendatory letter from filmmaker John Hughes.[1][3]

During his junior year of high school, Sestero began modelling, working in locations such as Milan and Paris for designers such as Giorgio Armani and Gianfranco Ferré. He returned to the United States to focus on acting, enrolling in the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco, California. His eventually signing with Hollywood agent Iris Burton prompted his eventual move to Los Angeles.[1]

Career

Sestero's early acting work included minor roles in the television show Nash Bridges and the films Gattaca (1997) and Patch Adams (1998). In 1999, Sestero was cast as the lead in Retro Puppet Master. He followed this with a recurring role on the television soap opera Days of Our Lives.[4]

The Room

Sestero's best known role to date is as Mark, the best friend to Tommy Wiseau's character Johnny, in the 2003 cult film The Room. Sestero met Wiseau at an acting class in 1998.[1] Wiseau told Sestero that if he was able to raise the funds to make the film, he would hire him as his co-star; Sestero arrived on set, only agreeing to work behind the scenes and help Wiseau with auditions and casting. However, Wiseau wanted the original actor cast as Mark out of the film, and formulated an elaborate plan to replace him with Sestero.[1]

Sestero has said that he made the film assuming no one would see it and that it would go direct to video.[3][5] The film was immediately lambasted by critics and fared very poorly at the box office. In Sestero's book, The Disaster Artist, he revealed that Wiseau had sent a copy of the film to Paramount Pictures to gain wide distribution and was denied by the studio within 24 hours (the typical response time is two weeks).[1]

Ross Morin, an assistant professor of film studies at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota, called it "the Citizen Kane of bad movies,"[1] and Entertainment Weekly referred to Wiseau as "the Orson Welles of crap."[6] Despite the poor showing, Sestero remained humorous and usually deflected much of the criticism of the film.[7][8]

The film quickly began to receive attention from audience members because of its poor production values rather than in spite of them; it soon became a "cult classic" with late-night showings at theaters around the United States. Audience members typically arrive wearing wigs resembling their favorite characters, interact with the dialogue on screen, and throw plastic cutlery and footballs around the theater.[1]

This attention grew into what was dubbed The Room's 2010–2011 "Love is Blind" International Tour, and the film was screened in the UK, Germany, Denmark, Australia, France, and India, among other locations. Sestero appears at many of these events, posing for photographs with fans and often addressing them before the screenings.[9]

The Disaster Artist

In June 2011, it was announced that Sestero had signed a deal with Simon & Schuster to write a book based on his experiences making The Room, Tommy Wiseau, and his journey of trying to become an actor. The book, titled The Disaster Artist, was released in October 2013.[10][11][12]

On November 23, 2014, The Disaster Artist won for Best Non-Fiction at the National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards ceremony in Los Angeles. The judges praised the book, stating "The Disaster Artist is not only a hell of a good read, it will make a great film if ever adapted. It's equal parts Ed Wood, American Hustle and demented Citizen Kane — with a dash of Monty Python thrown into the mix."[13] On February 11, 2015, The Disaster Artist audiobook, narrated by Sestero, was nominated for Best Humor Audiobook at the 2015 Audie Awards.[14]

It was announced in February 2014 that Seth Rogen's production company, Point Grey Pictures, had acquired the rights to a film adaptation of The Disaster Artist, with James Franco attached to direct and possibly star as Wiseau.[15]

On September 8, 2014, it was announced that screenwriters Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber would write the script for The Disaster Artist.[16] On October 15, 2015, it was announced that Dave Franco will play Sestero and cinematographer Brandon Trost will serve as the DP for The Disaster Artist.[17]

On October 29, 2015, it was announced that New Line Cinema would produce The Disaster Artist. Distribution rights were later acquired by A24.[18] Shooting began on December 8 of that year.[19] The film had its initial premiere at South By Southwest on March 12, 2017,[20] and is scheduled for a wide release on December 8, 2017.

Other work

In 2006, Sestero appeared in the television series Fashion House and had an uncredited role in Accepted. In 2010, he appeared in Miranda Lambert's music video "White Liar," which won the Country Music Television and the Academy of Country Music award for best video and song of the year; the video was also nominated for best video at the 2010 Country Music Association awards. Later that year, Sestero was featured in the 5-Second Film End Zone, directed by Michael Rousselet, one of The Room's original fans who helped propel the film to cult status.[1][6][21]

Sestero starred with NYC comedians Jason Saenz, Nick Turner, and Travis Irvine for a sketch comedy video in which Sestero turned into the "new" Jason Saenz via jaw surgery.[22] The July 2010 edition of Diablo magazine labeled Sestero as one of the "Best of the East Bay Stars and Standouts."[23]

In July 2011, Sestero teamed with comedian Patton Oswalt in You Got Mail, a 5-Second Film that features Oswalt as a mailman and Sestero waiting for his suspicious delivery.[24]

On November 12, 2013, Sestero made a cameo appearance on an episode of the Nostalgia Critic internet review show, which had previously reviewed The Room, reprising his role of Mark.[25] Sestero continues to model and has appeared in ads for Tommy Hilfiger, Armani, and Ralph Lauren, among others.[7]

Sestero costarred in Dude Bro Party Massacre III (2015) from the creators of 5 Second Films. The film also stars Patton Oswalt and Andrew WK. The film premiered at Los Angeles Film Festival on June 13, 2015.[citation needed]

Sestero is set to team up with Wiseau once again for a new film, Best F(r)iends, based on a story written by Sestero about a road trip he took with Wiseau back in 2003.[26]

Personal life

Sestero lives in Southern California.[7] He is also fluent in French.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1997 Gattaca Gattacan Citizen Uncredited[27]
1998 Patch Adams Jaime Uncredited[28]
1999 Retro Puppet Master Young Andre Toulon
EDtv Roach Uncredited[27]
2003 The Room Mark Line producer
2004 Homeless in America Himself Documentary
Executive producer
2006 Accepted Frat Guy Uncredited[27]
2009 Alien Presence Ash
The Pit and the Pendulum Alicia's Boyfriend
2015 Dude Bro Party Massacre III Derek
2017 The Disaster Artist Casting Agent
2018 Best F(r)iends Jon Kortina Writer and producer

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2000 Days of Our Lives Jules 1 episode
2006 Fashion House Model 2 episodes
2013 The Blessed Ignorance of Men Fr. Mark Pilot

Web

Year Title Role Notes
2013 Nostalgia Critic Mark Episode: "Dawn of the Commercials"
2014 Shut Up and Talk Himself Talk show

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Greg Sestero; Tom Bissell (October 2013). The Disaster Artist: My Life Inside The Room, the Greatest Bad Movie Ever Made (First Hardcover ed.). New York: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 1451661193.
  2. ^ Hicks, Tony (March 14, 2017). "Franco's Disaster Artist has many Bay Area connections". The Mercury News. Retrieved July 24, 2017.
  3. ^ a b Kozlowski, Carl (August 27, 2009). "'The Room' to Improve". Pasadena Weekly. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
  4. ^ Greg Sestero at IMDb
  5. ^ Heisler, Steve (February 23, 2010). "The Room's Greg Sestero, best friend extraordinaire". The A.V. Club. Retrieved October 23, 2017.
  6. ^ a b Collis, Clark (December 12, 2008). "The Crazy Cult of 'The Room'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved July 24, 2017.
  7. ^ a b c Hicks, Tony (October 7, 2010). "Worst Movie Ever". Contra Costa Times. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
  8. ^ "Five questions with Greg Sestero from the Room". Popgun Chaos. October 5, 2010. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved October 23, 2017.
  9. ^ "The Room Official Movie Site". Theroommovie.com. Retrieved March 12, 2011.
  10. ^ Collis, Clark (May 26, 2011). "'Room' actor Greg Sestero to write memoir". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved May 30, 2011.
  11. ^ "CNN Entertainment (extended cut)". Youtuve.com. Retrieved March 24, 2011.
  12. ^ "Understanding 'The Room': An interview with the stars of 'the worst movie ever made'". The Independent. February 15, 2013. Archived from the original on February 21, 2013. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  13. ^ "Hollywood Reporter Wins Best Publication, Website at National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards". Hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved December 29, 2016.
  14. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-02-16. Retrieved 2015-02-16. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  15. ^ "James Franco Likely to Play Tommy Wiseau in 'The Disaster Artist'". Slashfilm.com. May 8, 2014. Retrieved December 29, 2016.
  16. ^ Fischer, Russ (September 8, 2014). "'The Fault in Our Stars' Screenwriters Scripting 'The Disaster Artist'". Slashfilm.com. Archived from the original on July 23, 2017. Retrieved July 23, 2017. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  17. ^ "Scott Haze, James Franco Discuss Their New LA Theater, Upcoming Projects (Exclusive)". Thewrap.com. October 12, 2015. Retrieved December 29, 2016.
  18. ^ McNary, Dave (May 15, 2017). "James Franco Comedy 'The Disaster Artist' Gets Award-Season Release From A24". Variety. Retrieved September 15, 2017.
  19. ^ Kroll, Justin (October 29, 2015). "James and Dave Franco's 'The Disaster Artist' Headed for New Line". Variety.com. Retrieved December 29, 2016.
  20. ^ "The Disaster Artist". Retrieved February 16, 2017.
  21. ^ Collis, Clark (July 30, 2010). "5-Second Comedy Short". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
  22. ^ "Your Free Comedy". Yourfreecomedy.tumblr.com. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved March 12, 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  23. ^ "Diablo Magazine". Diablomag.com. Retrieved March 12, 2011.
  24. ^ Collis, Clark. "Watch bad movie fan Patton Oswalt and bad movie icon Greg 'The Room' Sestero in a five-second film". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved July 13, 2011.
  25. ^ "Channel Awesome - Just Awesome". Thatguywiththeglasses.com. Retrieved July 24, 2017.
  26. ^ Rebecca Ford (October 12, 2016). "'The Room' Director Tommy Wiseau and Star Greg Sestero Reunite for New Movie (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter.
  27. ^ a b c Bacher, Danielle (October 4, 2013). "Remembering 'The Room'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
  28. ^ Sestero, Greg (October 22, 2013). "My epic turn in Patch Adams". Twitter. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
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